R&D Manager (Behvazan - Rasht)

Job Description

Join us at Cobel Group, a leading private pharmaceutical corporation dedicated to innovative health solutions, patient-centered care, and improving lives. With a complete pharmaceutical value chain, we’re committed to enhancing the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of individuals, encompassing physical, psychological, and social well-being.

Behvazan is Cobel Group’s next-generation pharmaceutical technologies that redefine accessibility and efficacy. Cobel Group, composed of a group of companies and divisions, includes core and well-known companies such as Dr. Abidi Pharmaceuticals, Cobel Darou, and Adorateb.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Innovation:

• Spearhead end-to-end R&D initiatives to develop novel pharmaceutical products/services, optimize processes, and reduce costs.
• Drive market intelligence: Analyze competitors, consumer trends, and global opportunities to inform R&D strategy.
• Identify technological advancements, benchmark industry leaders, and integrate innovations into product development.

Product Development & Quality:

• Lead product design, testing, and compliance with regulatory standards (FDA/EMA/local).
• Enhance product quality, reduce waste, and oversee pilot production/testing.
• Develop quality plans, packaging specifications, and testing protocols.

Market & Customer Insights:

• Research target customer needs/preferences and translate insights into product features.
• Design market surveys, analyze data, and forecast product success.
• Identify relevant exhibitions/events and report emerging industry trends.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with Production, QA, HR, and executive teams to align R&D with business goals.
• Develop training programs for technical staff and new hires.
• Collaborate on business strategy, risk management, and ISO compliance.

Operational Excellence:

• Optimize manufacturing costs, resource efficiency, and factory profitability.
• Manage R&D budgets and propose capital equipment investments.
• Implement corrective/preventive actions and report to senior management.

Compliance & Reporting:

• Ensure adherence to legal requirements and quality policies.
• Present R&D progress, risks, and opportunities to leadership.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Technical Expertise:

• Proven experience in research projects and end-to-end product development (pharma/biotech preferred).
• Mastery of statistical software (e.g., Minitab, SPSS, JMP) for data analysis and R&D decision-making.

Proficiency in Quality Engineering Methodologies:

• FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis).
• QFD (Quality Function Deployment).
• TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving).
• Certification in ISO 9001 (Internal Auditing) and product quality planning.

Core Competencies:

• Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to innovate under constraints and drive inventive solutions.
• Critical Thinking & Adaptability: Receptive to feedback and agile in evolving strategies.
• Collaborative Leadership: Build constructive relationships with cross-functional teams, clients, and stakeholders.
• Research Acumen: Expertise in IT/technology research and market-driven product development.

Formal Training & Credentials:

• Risk-Based Thinking (RBT) certification.
• Product quality design/development training.
• TRIZ methodology for structured innovation.

Experience:

• 5 years in R&D or product development roles.
• 3 years in directly relevant pharmaceutical R&D leadership, with demonstrated success in launching a compliant product.